News

Posted: 03 March 2023

Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club and Edinburgh University Boat Club both won pennants as Scottish clubs and athletes enjoyed a successful outing on the Tideway for the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race on Saturday.

In total 14 crews representing 10 Scottish clubs made the 400+ mile journey south to London to compete in the world’s largest women’s rowing race which saw a huge entry this year of over 300 crews (and more than 2,700 competitors).

Clydesdale ARC – Winners of the Small Club Pennant

Clydesdale took home the Small Club Pennant after finishing 111th in a time of 21:41.0 whilst Edinburgh University boasted the top two positions in the Beginner Academic category with their A crew coming home in 69th position overall in a time of 21:06.0 and their B boat less than a minute behind in 21:50.7 (and 126th overall).

Edinburgh University Boat Club – Winners of the Beginner Academic Pennant

At the top of the field the Headship was awarded to Leander Club A crew featuring Scottish Olympians Rowan McKellar and Karen Bennett as well as former Dundee University rower Eleanor Brinkhoff.  They finished in a time of 18:38.1 just over 8 seconds ahead of their B crew featuring ex ASRA and URA athlete Abigail Topp.

A group of GB international scullers including Edinburgh University Boat Club’s Maddie Arlett and Lucy Glover finished 4th in a time of 18:58.5 with former Glasgow University and Loch Lomond athlete Laura McKenzie in the Leander Club D crew that finished 7th in 19:15.7.

Edinburgh University Boat Club A crew were the top finishing Scottish club in 10th place with a time of 19:25.8 and it could have been a top 8 finish had it not been for a 10 second penalty for being late to the start.

Meanwhile new University Rowing Aberdeen Head Coach Ed Dean will have been pleased with the Aberdeen University / Robert Gordon University composite boat’s 40th place (in a time of 20:34.9), their best performance since 2014.

A Scottish Rowing invitational junior crew, competing as the Scottish Argonauts, achieved a record performance and a top 6 finish in the School / Junior category with a 44th place finish, coming home in a time of 20:36.8.

Scottish Argonauts – 44th overall, highest ever placing

Other Scottish clubs that had crews competing include the University of St Andrews, Glasgow University, St Andrew Boat Club, Glasgow Rowing Club / Castle Semple Rowing Club composite and Strathclyde Park Rowing Club who were involved in a Masters composite.

Full results can be found on the WEHORR website.